Approximately 12,000 years ago climate change and geographic features led groups of hunters-gatherers to discover the connection between seeds and permanent crops. The result was that each group adapted to their respective environments and settled to create the first civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Sometimes this is known as the Neolithic Revolution. These ancient civilizations became settled as major rivers provided a reliable supply of fresh water, they evolved as a result of 'Trigger Effects' beginning with the development of irrigation techniques. Watch the extract from Connections, a documentary made by James Burke, which explains how these 'triggers' are linked. The Trigger Effect
Modern historians often use the terms BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini).
It took thousands of years for these civilizations to develop and they are now commonly defined by eight central characteristics (cities, complex religions, job specialization, social classes, writing, art and architecture, well organized central governments and public works). By 4,000 BC several unique cultures began to emerge. Due to the variety of their environments each civilization evolved in their own specific ways.
Making History Short films on developments in Organized Societies, Writing and Agriculture
How did people organise themselves?
One of the Earliest Civilizations developed in Mesopotamia. Find out more below..... Task: Download the worksheet and use the class textbook "World History: Patterns of Integration" to discover more about early Sumerian society.
One of the problems facing early civilizations was setting up laws to govern themselves once people started living in communities instead of hunting, gathering, and roaming for food. Four thousand years later, we take a lot of this for granted. But, it is a slow process, and we are still trying to perfect it today. King Hammurabi ruled Babylon, located along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, from 1792-1750 BCE. During his time as king he oversaw a great expansion of his kingdom from a city-state to an empire. However, today he is most famous for a series of judgments inscribed on a large stone stele and dubbed Hammurabi's Code. Scholars are still debating its precise significance as a set of laws, but the Code's importance as a reflection of Babylonian society is indisputable.
Turning Points in History: Hammurabi's code of Laws.
This is the upper part of the stele that is approximately 7' 4" tall. The laws, written in cuneiform, are inscribed on the lower part of the monument. Hammurabi, King of Babylon reunited Mesopotamia and instituted the Code of Hammurabi, a comprehensive set of laws addressing nearly all aspects of both civil and criminal offences. Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god. Shamash is the dominant figure—he is seated on his throne and wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns, holds a ring and staff, and has flames issuing from his shoulders. Although Hammurabi is subservient to the god he still makes a powerful authority statement by addressing the god directly. Even though he has his hand raised in reverence he shows that he has a personal relationship with the gods while mere mortals do not.
What does Hammurabi's Code tell us about Babylonian Society?
Task 2: These are some excerpts from Hammurabi's Code, analyse them and then record what they tell us about different aspects of life in Hammurabi's time.
Task 3: This is part of the Epilogue (afterword) of the code, highlight the words or phrases which indicate the message Hammurabi was trying to send about his law code.
Group Project: The Land of Opportunity In groups students will investigate and present an aspect of one of the four major Bronze Age river valley civilizations; China.
Each group will deliver a presentation about an aspect of the civilization and the benefits its geographic features created. The presentation can take almost any form, but remember the audience needs to be informed and entertained! Individually you will also produce a poster about your aspect of Ancient China.
For full instructions click below.
British Museum Ancient Civlizations The following is a link to the excellent British Museum website introducing characteristics of these four ancient civilizations.
Why did people settle down?
Approximately 12,000 years ago climate change and geographic features led groups of hunters-gatherers to discover the connection between seeds and permanent crops. The result was that each group adapted to their respective environments and settled to create the first civilizations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, China and India. Sometimes this is known as the Neolithic Revolution. These ancient civilizations became settled as major rivers provided a reliable supply of fresh water, they evolved as a result of 'Trigger Effects' beginning with the development of irrigation techniques. Watch the extract from Connections, a documentary made by James Burke, which explains how these 'triggers' are linked.
The Trigger Effect
Chronology
Early Man Time PeriodsModern historians often use the terms BCE (Before the Common Era) and CE (Common Era) instead of BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini).
It took thousands of years for these civilizations to develop and they are now commonly defined by eight central characteristics (cities, complex religions, job specialization, social classes, writing, art and architecture, well organized central governments and public works). By 4,000 BC several unique cultures began to emerge. Due to the variety of their environments each civilization evolved in their own specific ways.
Neolithic Revolution Overview
Making History Short films on developments in Organized Societies, Writing and Agriculture
How did people organise themselves?
One of the Earliest Civilizations developed in Mesopotamia. Find out more below.....
Task: Download the worksheet and use the class textbook "World History: Patterns of Integration" to discover more about early Sumerian society.
One of the problems facing early civilizations was setting up laws to govern themselves once people started living in communities instead of hunting, gathering, and roaming for food. Four thousand years later, we take a lot of this for granted. But, it is a slow process, and we are still trying to perfect it today.
King Hammurabi ruled Babylon, located along the Euphrates and Tigris Rivers, from 1792-1750 BCE. During his time as king he oversaw a great expansion of his kingdom from a city-state to an empire. However, today he is most famous for a series of judgments inscribed on a large stone stele and dubbed Hammurabi's Code. Scholars are still debating its precise significance as a set of laws, but the Code's importance as a reflection of Babylonian society is indisputable.
Turning Points in History: Hammurabi's code of Laws.
This is the upper part of the stele that is approximately 7' 4" tall. The laws, written in cuneiform, are inscribed on the lower part of the monument. Hammurabi, King of Babylon reunited Mesopotamia and instituted the Code of Hammurabi, a comprehensive set of laws addressing nearly all aspects of both civil and criminal offences. Hammurabi is portrayed receiving the laws directly from Shamash the sun god. Shamash is the dominant figure—he is seated on his throne and wears a crown composed of four pairs of horns, holds a ring and staff, and has flames issuing from his shoulders. Although Hammurabi is subservient to the god he still makes a powerful authority statement by addressing the god directly. Even though he has his hand raised in reverence he shows that he has a personal relationship with the gods while mere mortals do not.
What does Hammurabi's Code tell us about Babylonian Society?
Task 1 Homework: Answer the four 'interactive' questions using this link
Interactive Stela Questions
Task 2: These are some excerpts from Hammurabi's Code, analyse them and then record what they tell us about different aspects of life in Hammurabi's time.
Hammurabi's Code Babylonian Society exercise.doc
Task 3: This is part of the Epilogue (afterword) of the code, highlight the words or phrases which indicate the message Hammurabi was trying to send about his law code.
THE EPILOGUE LAWS of justice which Hammurabi.doc
For fun: Test your knowledge of Hammurabi's Code by deciding how he would have punished these crimes!
What would Hammurabi have done? Scenario Game
The classic game of strategy and resource allocation Hammurabi Strategy Game
Group Project: The Land of Opportunity
In groups students will investigate and present an aspect of one of the four major Bronze Age river valley civilizations; China.
Each group will deliver a presentation about an aspect of the civilization and the benefits its geographic features created. The presentation can take almost any form, but remember the audience needs to be informed and entertained! Individually you will also produce a poster about your aspect of Ancient China.
For full instructions click below.
Ancient Civilizations Project Instructions-1.docx
Research:
Below are a collection of links and documents that should help with your research.
General information
Brief Overview of Four River Civilizations Website
British Museum Ancient Civlizations
The following is a link to the excellent British Museum website introducing characteristics of these four ancient civilizations.
Life of a River Geographical link about Rivers China
China
China Overview Website with good summary of characteristics
China: Characteristics of Civilization
China before China A Blog
Geography of China Summary
China How geography shaped life in China summary
Philosophies
Facts about World Religions & Belief systems
Legacies of Ancient China
Qin & Han Dynasties